Feb. 27, 2003

Box Score

Prosper Karangwa and Tommy Mitchell led a spirited second half rally as Siena (17-9/11-6 MAAC) erased a nine-point second half deficit to topple MAAC leader Manhattan (20-6/13-4) 72-68 before 9,032 fans in Albany's Pepsi Arena Thursday night. Luis Flores did all he could for Manhattan, scoring 29 points in a losing effort.

Flores paced Manhattan to a 35-30 halftime lead, scoring 14 of his points before intermission. The Jaspers controlled most of the action in the intial stanza, forcing Siena into 10 of its 17 turnovers with its full court press. Michael Haddix led the way for Siena with eight points and five rebounds. The lead changed hands 10 times before the break and the game was tied five times.

The Jaspers expanded their lead to 43-34 just three minutes into the final stanza following consecutive threes from Flores.

Siena rallied to close to within two points, 48-46, following a pair of Prosper Karangwa free throws. Manhattan answered with the game's next five points, to push the lead back to seven, but the Saints would again respond.

Tommy Mitchell's three from the left wing capped off a 7-0 Siena run tying the score at 55-55, and bringing the fans to their feet. Antoine Jordan gave Siena its first lead of the second half with a three from the right wing moments later with 5:40 showing on the clock.

The Saints carried the three point lead under the two minute mark, answering each Manhattan score with a basket of their own.

After Jordan again pushed the lead to three with a pair of free throws at 1:20, the Saints got their biggest defensive stop of the night. Justin Miller came cross court to swat a Mike Konovelcheck fade away attempt and when the dust settled Haddix emerged with another rebound for the Saints.

Haddix registered his second consecutive double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds for Siena.

The Jaspers closed to within two three times during the final minute, but Siena got the job done from the free throw line as it has all season. The Saints converted 83.3 percent (25-30) of their total opportunities from the charity stripe.

Mitchell made six consecutive clutch shots from the line to keep it a two possession game and deflate Manhattan's hopes of a comeback. Mitchell led four Saints in double figures with 17 points. Karangwa added 16 and Jordan chipped in 10.

Siena closes out its regular-season on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. against MAAC foe Saint Peter's at the Pepsi Arena. Seniors Michael Buhrman and Prosper Karangwa will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.